DHS awards $40.1M contract for CBP personnel, including air and marine agents

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,167,186 ($40.2M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2017-11-17

End Date: 2019-06-27

Contract Duration: 587 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MINIMUM GUARANTEE TASK ORDER FOR CONTRACT 70B06C18D00000001. HIRES 440 CBPOS, 150 BPAS, 32 AIR AND MARINE INTERDICTION AGENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $40.2 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: MINIMUM GUARANTEE TASK ORDER FOR CONTRACT 70B06C18D00000001. HIRES 440 CBPOS, 150 BPAS, 32 AIR AND MARINE INTERDICTION AGENTS. Key points: 1. Contract aims to bolster Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel by hiring 440 CBP officers and 150 Border Patrol agents. 2. Significant allocation for air and marine interdiction agents underscores a focus on border security operations. 3. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the duration of the performance period. 4. Accenture Federal Services, the awardee, has a track record in providing staffing and support services to government agencies. 5. The duration of the contract, approximately 587 days, suggests a medium-term need for these services. 6. The contract value of $40.1 million represents a substantial investment in human capital for border security.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $40.1 million for hiring 440 CBP officers, 150 BPAS, and 32 air and marine interdiction agents appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale staffing contracts for federal law enforcement agencies suggests that the per-person cost is within an expected range. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the Department of Homeland Security, mitigating the risk of cost overruns for the specified personnel acquisition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process that should drive fair pricing. This approach allows the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors, potentially leading to better value and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive environment, which typically leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified service providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), receiving essential personnel to enhance border security operations. The contract directly supports the hiring and deployment of critical personnel, including CBP officers, Border Patrol Assistant Supervisors (BPAS), and air and marine interdiction agents. Geographic impact is concentrated along U.S. borders and at ports of entry, where these personnel are deployed to manage and secure national borders. Workforce implications include the creation of approximately 572 new positions within CBP, bolstering the agency's operational capacity and potentially improving response times and effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor performance issues impacting critical border security functions if staffing targets are not met or quality of hires is low.
The fixed-price nature might disincentivize contractors from exceeding basic requirements, potentially limiting proactive problem-solving.
Dependence on a single contractor for such a significant personnel acquisition could pose a risk if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a clear and critical need for increased personnel within CBP, directly supporting national security objectives.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process, likely resulting in a qualified and capable contractor.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government, aligning contractor incentives with cost control.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically employment placement agencies and staffing solutions. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services to meet its diverse personnel needs across various agencies. The market for federal staffing contracts is competitive, with numerous large and small businesses vying for these opportunities. This specific award to Accenture Federal Services is a notable example of a large-scale staffing requirement for a critical federal agency like DHS.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Accenture Federal Services, may choose to subcontract portions of this work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, though this is not a requirement of the contract itself.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program officials within U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Personnel Support Contracts
Federal Law Enforcement Staffing Services
Customs and Border Protection Operational Support
Federal Employment Placement Agency Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical agency functions.
Contract duration may be insufficient for long-term strategic staffing needs.
Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of competitive intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $40.2 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. MINIMUM GUARANTEE TASK ORDER FOR CONTRACT 70B06C18D00000001. HIRES 440 CBPOS, 150 BPAS, 32 AIR AND MARINE INTERDICTION AGENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $40.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-17. End: 2019-06-27.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with similar large-scale federal staffing contracts, particularly for law enforcement or security agencies?

Accenture Federal Services has a substantial track record of performing large-scale IT and professional services contracts for various federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. While specific details on their history with direct law enforcement personnel hiring contracts of this exact magnitude are not detailed in the provided data, their broader experience in government contracting suggests a capacity to manage complex staffing requirements. Their past performance would typically be evaluated during the procurement process, and any significant issues would likely be documented in agency performance records. It is common for large federal contractors to have a diverse portfolio, and their ability to secure this contract indicates a favorable assessment of their capabilities by CBP.

How does the per-person cost of this contract compare to other federal contracts for similar roles, such as CBP officers or Border Patrol agents?

The provided data does not include a detailed breakdown of costs per position, making a direct per-person cost comparison difficult. The total award is $40,167,185.67 for approximately 572 personnel (440 CBP officers + 150 BPAS + 32 air/marine agents). This yields a rough average of $70,222 per person over the contract period. However, this is a blended average and does not account for differing roles, salaries, benefits, or the contractor's overhead and profit margins. To perform a true benchmark, one would need to compare the contractor's proposed rates for each specific role against government salary scales, other federal staffing contracts, and potentially private sector benchmarks for comparable positions, considering the specific requirements and overhead associated with federal service.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks include potential contractor underperformance in meeting hiring targets or quality standards, which could impact CBP's operational readiness. There's also a risk of cost escalation if the firm-fixed-price model doesn't adequately account for unforeseen labor market fluctuations, though this is less likely with FFP. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the government, clear performance standards and metrics outlined in the contract, and potential remedies for non-performance, such as liquidated damages or contract termination. The selection of a reputable contractor like Accenture Federal Services through full and open competition also serves as a risk mitigation factor, assuming their past performance was thoroughly vetted.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific personnel acquisition?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overrun are manageable. For personnel acquisition, FFP provides cost certainty to the government, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently. In this case, CBP is paying a set amount for the delivery of a specific number of personnel. The value for money is realized if the contractor successfully recruits and provides qualified personnel within the agreed-upon price. The effectiveness hinges on the accuracy of the initial cost estimation and the contractor's ability to execute within that budget.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar personnel support contracts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the Department of Homeland Security?

Historical spending patterns for CBP and DHS on personnel support contracts can vary significantly based on agency needs, budget allocations, and strategic priorities. Agencies like CBP frequently utilize contracts for staffing, training, and specialized support services to augment their federal workforce, especially in areas requiring rapid scaling or specialized skills. Spending on such contracts can fluctuate year-over-year, influenced by factors like border security initiatives, national security threats, and legislative mandates. While this specific $40.1 million contract is substantial, it represents one component of a much larger overall budget for CBP's operational and personnel needs. Detailed historical analysis would require access to comprehensive federal procurement databases and agency budget reports.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Employment Placement Agencies

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Accenture Public Limited Company (UEI: 985015354)

Address: 800 NORTH GLEBE RD #300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,167,186

Exercised Options: $40,167,186

Current Obligation: $40,167,186

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 71

Total Subaward Amount: $31,047,122

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B06C18D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline